Curoshttp://www.curos.com
Disinfect and Protect IV Access Ports with The Curos® Port ProtectorThu, 30 Jul 2015 19:35:53 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3953M Completes Acquisition of Ivera Medical Corp.http://www.curos.com/3m-completes-acquisition-of-ivera-medical-corp/
http://www.curos.com/3m-completes-acquisition-of-ivera-medical-corp/#commentsFri, 13 Mar 2015 17:25:00 +0000http://www.curos.com/?p=42023M announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Ivera Medical Corp., a manufacturer of health care products that disinfect and protect devices used for access into a patient’s bloodstream. The business is now a wholly owned subsidiary of 3M and a part of its Critical & Chronic Care Solutions Division. 3M’s vascular access [...]

]]>3M announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Ivera Medical Corp., a manufacturer of health care products that disinfect and protect devices used for access into a patient’s bloodstream. The business is now a wholly owned subsidiary of 3M and a part of its Critical & Chronic Care Solutions Division.

3M’s vascular access products play an important role in helping to reduce complications for patients with I.V. catheters. The addition of Ivera will enable 3M to bring a broader array of vascular access solutions to more health care systems worldwide.

Ivera’s I.V. port connector caps, sold under the Curos® Brand, are used to disinfect and act as a barrier to contamination on devices that provide access to I.V. lines. These products complement 3M’s vascular access products including Tegaderm™ CHG (Chlorhexidine Gluconate) I.V. Securement Dressings, which deliver the critical elements of antimicrobial protection and securement for I.V. site care.

Ivera is based in San Diego, Calif. and employs approximately 60 people.

About 3M3M is a science-based company with a culture of creative collaboration that inspires powerful technologies, making life better. With $32 billion in sales, 3M employs 90,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com/ or follow @3MNewsroom on Twitter.

PAUL, Minn., Feb 19, 2015(BUSINESS WIRE) — 3M announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Ivera Medical Corp., a manufacturer of health care products that disinfect and protect devices used for access into a patient’s bloodstream. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The addition of Ivera will enhance 3M’s vascular access product offerings at a time when health care facilities are looking for cost-effective solutions that improve patient health outcomes, particularly in the area of hospital acquired infections (HAIs) such as catheter-related blood stream infections, or CRBSIs. Reducing the risk of CRBSIs is a major focus of health care facilities around the world due to loss of life and high treatment costs.

Ivera makes I.V. port connector caps, sold under the Curos® Brand, which are used to disinfect and act as a barrier to contamination on devices that provide access to I.V. lines. These products complement 3M’s vascular access products including Tegaderm™ CHG (Chlorhexidine Gluconate) I.V. Securement Dressings, which deliver the critical elements of antimicrobial protection and securement for I.V. site care.

“Our products play an important role in helping to reduce complications for patients with I.V. catheters,” said Bill Cruise, vice president and general manager, 3M Critical & Chronic Care Solutions Division. “Together with Ivera, we can bring a broader array of vascular access solutions to more health care systems worldwide.”

In addition to the Tegaderm Brand dressings, 3M’s innovative products that help prevent and treat critical and chronic conditions include medical tapes, skin care products, bandages and wraps, and skin closures.

“3M’s acquisition of Ivera represents a fantastic outcome for all parties. 3M’s great products, ample resources and worldwide presence coupled with Ivera’s best-of-class Curos Brand product line and salesforce will accelerate global acceptance and growth of the Curos Brand here in the US and worldwide,” said Bob Rogers, CEO, Ivera Medical Corp.

Ivera is based in San Diego, Calif., employs approximately 60 people and has annual sales of approximately $30 million. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2015, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

On a GAAP reported basis, 3M estimates the acquisition to be neutral to earnings in the first 12 months following completion of the transaction.

About Ivera MedicalIvera Medical Corp. is focused on the design, development, manufacture, marketing and sale of the Curos line of products including passive disinfection port protectors that disinfect and then cover needleless valves to prevent contamination between venous accesses. For more information about Curos Brand and Ivera, visit the website at www.curos.com.

About 3M
3M is a science-based company with a culture of creative collaboration that inspires powerful technologies, making life better. With $32 billion in sales, 3M employs 90,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com/ or follow @3MNewsroom on Twitter.

]]>http://www.curos.com/3m-acquire-ivera-medical-corp/feed/0Ivera Medical Announces New Patent for Curos Port Protectorshttp://www.curos.com/ivera-medical-announces-new-patent-curos-port-protectors/
http://www.curos.com/ivera-medical-announces-new-patent-curos-port-protectors/#commentsThu, 12 Feb 2015 11:00:46 +0000http://www.curos.com/?p=4185Ivera Medical announced today that the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance for a new patent for its innovative Curos® disinfecting port protector technology. Issued on February 3, 2015, this new patent will be directed to Ivera’s core technology for its Curos Port Protector and Curos Strip products. [...]

]]>Ivera Medical announced today that the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance for a new patent for its innovative Curos® disinfecting port protector technology. Issued on February 3, 2015, this new patent will be directed to Ivera’s core technology for its Curos Port Protector and Curos Strip products.

“We are pleased with the allowance of this Track 1 patent, as it is another important piece of our patent portfolio,” said Bob Rogers, CEO of Ivera Medical. “Curos continues to grow as a new standard in disinfection, and we are proud of the intellectual property that we created with the Curos Port Protector family of products.”

“Curos products are helping hospitals manage their disinfection protocols, which in turn can help patients, as well as save hospitals significant money. This most recent patent is yet another example of our investment in, and commitment to protecting patient safety and reducing the cost of healthcare,” said Mr. Rogers.

About Ivera MedicalIvera Medical Corporation, a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), is focused on the design, development, manufacture, marketing and sale of products that help healthcare providers reduce facility-acquired patient infections. Curos, manufactured in Carlsbad, CA, is the first disinfecting cap to be marketed in the U.S. and has received FDA’s 510(k) market clearance. For more information about Curos and Ivera Medical, visit the website at www.curos.com.

]]>http://www.curos.com/ivera-medical-announces-new-patent-curos-port-protectors/feed/0Ivera Medical granted renewal of its Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) Statushttp://www.curos.com/ivera-medical-granted-renewal-minority-owned-business-enterprise-mbe-status/
http://www.curos.com/ivera-medical-granted-renewal-minority-owned-business-enterprise-mbe-status/#commentsTue, 27 Jan 2015 10:00:25 +0000http://www.curos.com/?p=4181Ivera Medical Corporation has met the stringent requirements for a minority-owned business enterprise (MBE) for the fourth consecutive year. The Pacific Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council has renewed the certification for MBE status, as defined by the National Minority Supplier Development Council certification guidelines. “Our MBE certification is important to us and is a continuing [...]

]]>Ivera Medical Corporation has met the stringent requirements for a minority-owned business enterprise (MBE) for the fourth consecutive year. The Pacific Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council has renewed the certification for MBE status, as defined by the National Minority Supplier Development Council certification guidelines.

“Our MBE certification is important to us and is a continuing source of pride,” said Bob Rogers, Ivera Medical CEO. “This certification helps Ivera open doors with healthcare providers and purchasing organizations who seek diversity and appreciate the competitive value a minority-owned business can bring to their supply contracting.”

About Ivera MedicalIvera Medical is focused on the design, development, manufacture, marketing and sale of the Curos® line of products including passive disinfection port protectors that disinfect and then guard luer activated swabbable valves against contamination between venous accesses. The vibrant green cap assures high visibility compliance with hospital infection prevention protocols while its ingenious design minimizes packaging waste. Effective use requires only that caregivers peel off a foil seal and twist the cap onto any needleless connector. Inside the cap, 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) continually bathes the port for effective, consistent and reliable disinfection. For more information about Curos and Ivera Medical, visit the website at www.curos.com.

]]>http://www.curos.com/ivera-medical-granted-renewal-minority-owned-business-enterprise-mbe-status/feed/0Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare (2014): Making It Easy for Nurses to Reduce the Risk of CLABSIhttp://www.curos.com/patient-safety-quality-healthcare-2014-making-easy-nurses-reduce-risk-clabsi/
http://www.curos.com/patient-safety-quality-healthcare-2014-making-easy-nurses-reduce-risk-clabsi/#commentsTue, 18 Nov 2014 21:46:44 +0000http://www.curos.com/?p=4176This article, authored by Wendy Kaler, CLS, MPH, CIC, director of infection prevention at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco, California, describes the lack of attention paid to hub disinfection over the years and introduces the use of disinfecting port protectors as an effective and nurse-accepted protocol. Kaler emphasizes the importance of an all [...]

]]>This article, authored by Wendy Kaler, CLS, MPH, CIC, director of infection prevention at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco, California, describes the lack of attention paid to hub disinfection over the years and introduces the use of disinfecting port protectors as an effective and nurse-accepted protocol. Kaler emphasizes the importance of an all lines, all patients approach in sustaining high levels of nurse compliance.

]]>http://www.curos.com/patient-safety-quality-healthcare-2014-making-easy-nurses-reduce-risk-clabsi/feed/0Staying Safe: Hospital Acquired Infectionshttp://www.curos.com/staying-safe-hospital-acquired-infections/
http://www.curos.com/staying-safe-hospital-acquired-infections/#commentsWed, 12 Nov 2014 18:50:36 +0000http://www.curos.com/?p=4135What are the greatest infection risks in hospitals? Ironically, the most common hospital-acquired infections are caused by the devices and procedures used to care for patients. Although critical to modern care, invasive devices open the door for virulent microorganisms to enter the body and cause serious illness. Urinary tract infections are contracted from catheters, pneumonia [...]

]]>What are the greatest infection risks in hospitals? Ironically, the most common hospital-acquired infections are caused by the devices and procedures used to care for patients. Although critical to modern care, invasive devices open the door for virulent microorganisms to enter the body and cause serious illness. Urinary tract infections are contracted from catheters, pneumonia is often associated with the use of a ventilator and bloodstream infections stem from vascular catheter use. These hospital-acquired infections are common, costly and often lethal. Know the risk and the solutions before you or a loved one enters the hospital.

Abstract:

Background:

Improvements in central line placement practices have decreased the rates of central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). Further progress in reducing infection may rest on processes related to line maintenance and care.

Methods:

We evaluated the effect of an alcohol disinfection cap on rates of nosocomial bacteremia. The plastic caps fit on the exposed ends of IV needleless access devices and contain a pad saturated with 70% isopropyl alcohol for disinfection: we alternated between similar products by two different manufacturers. The caps were placed on all ports of peripheral and central lines when not in use. Four hospital units with higher central line use were chosen for this year-long intervention (an intensive care unit, a step down unit, and two medical surgical units). Nosocomial bloodstream infections and CLABSI were monitored for these units, along with four units not part of this intervention (to control for changes over time). The year prior to implementation served as comparison. Chi-square was used to test for change in the incidence of infection.

Results:

The rate of CLABSI fell from 1.5 per thousand line days (kld) (16 CLABSI / 10 441 line days) to 0.5 per kld (5 / 9 536, P = 0.03). There was no significant change for units not using the caps, 0.6 (4 / 6 871) to 0.4 per kld (3 / 7 790, P = 0.59). The rate of nosocomial BSI also fell significantly, 0.73 per thousand patient days (kpd) (40 BSI / 33 037 patient days) to 0.47 (24 / 36 362), P = 0.02). Rates did not differ significantly between the two different products.

Conclusion:

Using alcohol disinfectant caps on all IV access ports significantly reduced the rate of CLABSI and nosocomial bacteremia for a variety of inpatient hospital units.

Introduced to 1 ICU and 3 medical surgical hospital units. Two units used the green and 2 used the orange; at 6 months this was reversed.

4 units where caps were not used served to control for unrelated changes over time.

A period of 12 months after introduction was compared to the 12 preceding months.

Baseline: 4/2012 to 3/2013

Trial period: 4/2013 to 3/2014, product crossover 10/2013

All access ports were covered when not in use, including peripheral and central lines. We intermittently monitored compliance with cap use.

All nosocomial BSI were screened by experienced Infection Preventionists using NHSN criteria for CLABSI, noting the presence of central line(s) and infections elsewhere. Nosocomial BSI included CLABSI as well as other primary and secondary infections.

Line days were obtained from the electronic medical record.

The epidemiologist performed an audit of all nosocomial BSI over the two years to find any unrecorded events.

The observed infections were compared between periods using Chi-square. 95% confidence intervals are calculated using the binomial distribution.

Results:

Device use ratio (DUR) decreased 5.4% between the baseline and trial period (31.6% to 26.2%). The ICU experienced the greatest decline (DUR 69.2% to 57.3%).

Both types of caps were associated with a decrease in nosocomial BSI. The difference between caps was not significant:

In the 4 units where caps were not used there was no difference in CLABSI (Baseline 4 / 6 871 to Trial period 3/7 790, 0.58 to 0.39) or Nosocomial BSI (17/32 861 to 13/32 897, 0.52 to 0.46) between these two periods.

Over the course of this study, only 33% (21 of 63, 95% CI 22 to 46%) of nosocomial BSI were classified as CLABSI.

We purchased 162,000 caps, using about 4.56 caps per-patient-day. The cost was $40,000 for the year, $1.10 per patient day.

Conclusions:

When disinfectant caps were used on all IV ports, the rate of both CLABSI and nosocomial BSI fell significantly.

Since CLABSIs now amount to less than half of the nosocomial BSI, measures can target the reduction of BSI events also.

Support:

This activity was initiated, designed, implemented, and analyzed as a Quality Improvement project by the Infection Prevention Team. The manufacturers provided initial materials for one month, and assisted with training on the cap use.

Background:

CLABSI is the second leading cause of death from a healthcare acquired infection in the US (Boubekri, 2013)

The cost of caring for each CLABSI event is estimated $26,000 – $45,000 per case (Dumont & Nesselrodt, 2012)

CLABSIs are preventable when proper management of the line occurs. Efforts to use bundle care recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention have driven nation-wide improvement, but elimination of CLABSIs continues to be a challenge for many hospitals (Boubekri, 2013)

Literature Review:

There are four sources of central line contamination:

organisms introduced during insertion

contamination of the catheter hub which introduces bacteria into the lumen

bacteria from another body site traveling through the bloodstream to the catheter

contaminated infusate (Dumant & Nesselrodt, 2012)

Nurses can be the driving force behind reduction in CLABSI rates through:

Education and training of staff

Hand hygiene and sterile technique

Appropriate selection of catheter and site

Use of devices such as chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings, preps, cuffs, catheters, and locks

Leadership support

Cultures of safety

Availability of resources (Kusek, 2012)

National guidelines do not yet endorse the use of dis-infection caps due to lack of clinical trials but state that future trials are needed (O’Grady, 2011)

Out of 60 needleless ports using the disinfection caps, only 1 became contaminated (Menhay, 2008)

Aim:

The aim of this project was to implement the use of disinfecting caps as part of the central line bundle to prevent CLABSI on an Acute Inpatient Oncology Unit.

Project Description:

October 2012– Staff was educated on the following:

The disinfecting port protectors are luer-lock caps with an alcohol saturated sponge-like foam that cleans the catheter hub

The port protectors disinfect three minutes after application and acts as a barrier up to seven days if not removed. Once removed, a fresh cap must be applied.

]]>http://www.curos.com/reducing-central-line-associated-bloodstream-infections-addition-disinfecting-port-protector-caps-central-line-bundle/feed/0Ivera Medical CEO Named Healthcare Entrepreneur of the Year by San Diego Business Journalhttp://www.curos.com/ivera-medical-ceo-named-healthcare-entrepreneur-year-san-diego-business-journal/
http://www.curos.com/ivera-medical-ceo-named-healthcare-entrepreneur-year-san-diego-business-journal/#commentsTue, 23 Sep 2014 09:00:35 +0000http://www.curos.com/?p=4016Bob Rogers, CEO of Ivera Medical, was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the San Diego Business Journal. The award was announced on September 18, 2014 at an awards ceremony for Healthcare Champions at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. “Given the number and quality of entrepreneurs in this area, it is really an [...]

]]>Bob Rogers, CEO of Ivera Medical, was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the San Diego Business Journal. The award was announced on September 18, 2014 at an awards ceremony for Healthcare Champions at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park.

“Given the number and quality of entrepreneurs in this area, it is really an honor to be recognized,” said Mr. Rogers. “My interest has always been to identify solutions to problems that have defied prior efforts, and given the great history San Diego has with product innovation, it is humbling to receive this consideration.”

Ivera Medical, and its flagship product Curos®Disinfecting Port Protectors represent an entire market that Mr. Rogers created. Bloodstream infections are a significant problem in healthcare, having severe financial consequences, and causing serious health issues for patients. The idea behind Curos is to change clinician behavior and eliminate technique variability in device disinfection in order to reduce catheter-related bloodstream infections. “Nurses are incredibly busy with so many important things to do to care for patients, sometimes the workload can be overwhelming. I wanted to build something to help them and in doing so, improve the quality of care for patients,” said Mr. Rogers.

Instead of relying on nurses to scrub a needleless connector on a patient’s catheter or IV line with an alcohol pad, Mr. Rogers developed a small cap that contains alcohol. The cap’s entire purpose is to disinfect these connectors and then remain in place to protect the port from contacting sources of contamination. When a nurse needs to administer a medication, the Curos Port Protector is removed, discarded, and the medication administered into the line without requiring a nurse to manually scrub. Curos saves the nurse time and, more importantly, ensures that the port is properly disinfected. Like many effective solutions, the invention is very logical in hindsight, but since it is a major shift in universal nursing protocol, it took a few years to catch on.

“We still have a lot of work in front of us, but our list of prestigious hospitals and healthcare systems benefitting from Curos is lengthy, and include local leaders such as Rady Children’s Hospital and UCSD Medical Center,” said Mr. Rogers. “I suppose entrepreneurs never rest, always working on the next challenge. In that vein, we will soon commercialize two new products that will have further impact on the challenges hospitals face combatting bloodstream infections. And, we have our sights on new technologies that will greatly expand our company’s profile while targeting another major area of concern for hospitals and their patients. Being recognized by the San Diego Business Journal is an unexpected honor, and helps underscore the importance for all entrepreneurs to continue seeking out solutions to everyday challenges.”

About Ivera Medical
Ivera Medical Corporation, a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), is focused on the design, development, manufacture, marketing and sale of products that help healthcare providers reduce facility-acquired patient infections. Curos, manufactured in Carlsbad, CA, is the first disinfecting cap to be marketed in the U.S. and has received FDA’s 510(k) market clearance. For more information about Curos and Ivera Medical, visit the website at www.curos.com